Would-be Robber Tripped Up by Wallet

A would-be Charlestown robber was bested by his own clumsiness late last week, according to Boston Police.

According to BPDNews.com, a taxi drive told police that he picked up Carlos Martinez, 33, of Charlestown near Congress Street in downtown early Friday morning, and Martinez assaulted him when they reached 42 Park Street in Charlestown.

Around about 12:50am that morning, police received a call for an assault and battery in progress.

The driver told police that, upon arrival, Martinez jumped out of the vehicle without paying. The driver followed, he said, asking for his money. At that point, Martinez struck the driver in the chest area. The driver tried to flee, and Martinez grabbed the driver’s jacket, which slipped off.

Martinez then searched the jacket and found a wallet, the driver said. Soon afterward, he dropped the wallet and fell trying to retrieve it.

Officers responding to the scene arrested Martinez, and charged him with assault with intent to rob (unarmed) and fare evasion.